Friday, December 13, 2013

What do Catholic Moms really want for Christmas?

Donna-Marie (in dress on right)
with her mother
and 4 of her 7 siblings

Moms are always thinking of others—not so much themselves.
After all, that need to nurture and to give is pretty much innate. Once a woman
becomes pregnant, she no longer thinks only for herself or for her husband. She
now has a little life inside of her, which totally depends on her for survival.
Or, the mom opening her heart to a child through adoption becomes totally
focused on the care of another. And, of course, in time, the expectant mother
gives birth and is compelled to immediately focus on her baby’s needs and later
on her growing children.

I have asked more than fifty Catholic moms what is at the very top of
their Christmas wish list this year. You might be surprised to find out what
they really want.

Yes, it’s true that deep down we all want peace on earth and goodwill
towards men. But, there are a few tangible things that would be nice for moms too.
Yet, by and large, many Catholic moms are expressing that they would love to
receive a gift of time.

Here are some of the gifts that Catholic moms are wishing for (in no
particular order). Keep in mind that I asked the moms to dream big!

A mother’s ring

A retreat (several hoped for this)

Gift cards for groceries (this mom is on maternity leave)

Peace in my home

Gift cards (many want this)

Catholic and Christian books

Gift cards to craft stores

That my children will always know how much I desired each and every one of them and how much I love them

Spa day or massage

A new pair of boots

Disneyland tickets

A shopping spree

The kitchen painted

Something to benefit the WHOLE family

New laptop

A maid

A massage (her shoulders hurt from caring for her baby)

A chef

New clothes

A day and night off from caring for the kids

Diaper bag

Catholic stationary

A nap (almost every mom wants this!)

Camera

Night away with my husband (many moms long for this)

Meals delivered

Gift card for make up

Weekend away with husband

Money (many wished for this for reasons to better their
homeschooling environment or to keep their home safer or warmer)

Infinity scarf

Socks

Simple earrings

Money for homeschooling projects

Someone to watch the kids so I can take a nap or clean
(many wish for this)

Date night with husband (very popular wish!)

Time to clean

A recording of Handel’s Messiah

A Mani Pedi

A prenatal massage

Winter boots

Time to pray at church

The whole world to remember the reason for the season

Good health

A bigger car

A tummy tuck (just kidding, but wishing!)

New cardigan sweater to stay warm when I nurse my baby

Kitchen aid mixer

Books

Piano

Healing

Medical bills paid

IPod touch

Bedroom set

Ipad

Diamond earrings

Robot floor cleaner

Dress boots

Food

Sleep (many moms wished for this!)

Kids that behave

Reconciliation in relationships in my family

Our Eucharistic Lord to reign in the hearts of all men

Peace and love of God in my family

New carpet

New windows

Warmer home

Cocktail ring

Soda stream

A home altar

A new outfit

A mom’s retreat (many wished for this)

To get my wedding ring fixed

To be grateful for whatever I receive

An indoor gym for the kids

A weekend alone to purge my house

Money or supplies to build a chapel/library

The laundry to be done

A clean house (almost every Mom wants this!)

A clean van

A kitchen Aid standing mixer

A day off

Hobby supplies

Meaningful time to spend with my family

Many moms hope for the gift of time--time to be with
their family, time to keep the house in order or to spend alone with their
husband. Moms want a little respite. They are tired and usually more or less
worn out trying to do all that is required of them.

Most of us, more often than not feel pretty much out of time. We are typically rushing from one activity to another
trying to get our “to-do” lists checked off and it might seem impossible to
give away any of our time. But, perhaps
time would be the most meaningful gift to “part with” this year. It might
just well be a beautiful surprise to the recipient as well as a genuine
blessing for us too when we give of ourselves.

Consider how you might gift someone with your time. Perhaps you can
write them a card (or even wrap a gift box) with a gift of time inside.

For instance:

“I’d love to give you 3 hours of babysitting so you can go out and get a
Mani Pedi” (and stick a gift certificate to a salon in the card).

Or, “I’d love to give you 3 hours of babysitting so you can go out to the church and spend some alone time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament." Or, “I’d love to give you a home cooked meal so you can focus on
watching a movie or playing a game with your family instead of cooking one
night.” You can cook the meal at their home or cook it at your house and
deliver it. This is a nice gift for a family with a little baby or one who
might be dealing with some health challenges.Or, “I’d love to gift you with a
night away with your husband (or a “night in” which won’t cost them anything)
and I’ll watch the kids at my house.”

Or, “I’d love to give you a gift of dinner out with your husband and
I’ll watch the kids.” And, place a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant
inside the card or gift box.

Or, "I'd love to gift you with my help cleaning the house (or a room, or the refrigerator, the car, etc.) and watching the kids too so you can take a nap." This is a wonderful gift for a new mother.

These are just simple ideas. But the sky is the limit. Take some time to think of creative gifts that will
include your gift of time.

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About the book!

Author, speaker, and EWTN host Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle knows what it’s like to be a busy mother who has to carve time out of her day for the Lord or it just won’t happen. With five kids of her own, she developed this book to fit into a mom’s lifestyle.

From the back cover:

Let’s face it: being a mom is not for the faint of heart. Sometimes we just hit the ground running without giving our faith a second thought. This collection of quick “mini-retreats for moms” can change all that.

Consider these your spiritual “daily vitamins” that will energize you and help you find the faith, hope, and love you’ll need to be the mom God wants you to be – today and every day.

• Ponder quotes from the Bible and other spiritual readings

• Offer yourself to the Lord through an easy activity or idea

• Pray suggested prayers that match the daily theme

• Savor a little “sound bite” to carry throughout the day

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Prayer to the Holy Family

Lord Jesus Christ, who, being made subject to Mary and Joseph, did consecrate domestic life by Your unspeakable virtues; grant that we, with the assistance of both, may be taught by the example of your Holy Family, and may attain to its everlasing fellowship. Who lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.